Proverbs 11
1 Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate, but he delights in a precise weight.
False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.
4 Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath, but doing right keeps you from death.
[Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
5 The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight, but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.
Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
6 The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe, but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.
The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.
At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.
8 The righteous person is kept away from trouble and it comes upon the wicked instead.
A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
9 With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.
In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
10 When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
11 Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great; by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.
[At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
12 The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
13 Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets, but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.
A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
14 Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls, but victory comes by consulting many advisors.
They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
15 Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.
A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, but ruthless people grasp for wealth.
A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonor. The slothful come to lack: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.
17 A kind person benefits himself, but one who is cruel hurts himself.
A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
18 The wicked person lies to get his wages, but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.
An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
19 An honest person who does what is right will live, but the one who pursues evil will die.
A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
20 Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
21 Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.
He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's nose is a beautiful woman without discretion.
As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
23 The desires of righteous people result in good, but wicked people can only hope for wrath.
All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
24 There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more; another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.
There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
25 The generous person will prosper and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.
Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
26 People curse the man who refuses to sell grain, but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.
May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
27 The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor, but the one who searches for evil will find it.
He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favor: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.
He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
29 The one who brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind and the fool will become a servant to the wise of heart.
He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
30 The righteous person will be like a tree of life, but violence takes away lives.
Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.
31 Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
